Sharp and Steadfast Wins the Race

Sharp and Steadfast Wins the Race by Roxanne McDonald

There may have been as wide open a gaped mouth on our faces as was on Renee’s when she didn’t place in the final two or win. There may have been a greatly disappointed Natasha fan base. But there were likely also numerous cheers as Jaslene proved determination and consistency can win “America’s Next Top Model.”

It was nerve-rattling when Renee complained and complained for the first few weeks, so much that many of us wanted her off. But she continued to take beautiful photographs and some of us came around to accepting she just might win.

It was weird when Natasha would smile at the most negative of critiques, and impressive how she would stand up to the attacks on her personality by the other girls. But still others of us thought she just might take the final prize.

It was interesting how the one we had the least to say about (in the negative) was steeling herself for the moment when she would snatch that win right out from under the

competing contradictions and caustic carping exchanges. [Note how the girls were against Renee, then against Natasha, then how Renee, when eliminated, went to Natasha and told her to “win it for the mothers”—after she had been bad-mouthing and wishing Natasha ill, for example.]
So here was this opinionated but keeping-to-herself contender. Here was this unique beauty, bringing the “fierceness” in almost every one of her shots. Here was a young woman from Chicago, working as an online admissions officer, trying out for “America’s Next Top Model” in September, 2006 (or for a show cycle which aired then), getting cut, and promising to return, and returning in a quiet but definitive manner, climbing the success ladder without stepping on the hands on the rungs below her.

Here was Jaslene Gonzales, the first to consecutively, twice in a row, be the first to be called by Tyra at the judges round to the front of the room.

Here was Jaslene Gonzales, the first Top Model winner to have never been in the bottom two.

Here was Jaslene Gonzales, being the first “full Latina,” the first Puerto Rican descendant, to win ANTM.

Here was Jaslene Gonzales, the one judges in deliberation called the “Bondesque” girl who is “amazingly, spectacularly pretty” [Nigel Barker], the one whose first pass on the final runway wasn’t strong but who “built it” [Jay Manuel], the girl who is called “fierce” [Tyra Banks].

Here was the winner of “America’s Next Top Model”, bringing on the self-described “fierceness” to the runway; commenting she is “the edgy girl…not the girl next door [but] the girl down the block in your hood;” and reminding all who witnessed her win that “if you have the drive, keep going.” For, as she claimed was such a surreal experience having won it, for her many firsts, this was her “second time around” and she is America’s Next Top Model!
Congratulations, Jazz!

SirLinksAlot America’s Next Top Model links

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